High severity · published Jul 20, 2026
CVE-2026-8169
ExtremeXOS Debug-Mode Privilege Escalation via Weak PRNG
8.7
CVSS
0.4%
EPSS
No
On KEV
Description
ExtremeXOS (EXOS) uses a challenge-response mechanism to authorize access to the privileged debug-mode function. The challenge value is generated using an insufficiently random source, which under certain conditions may allow an attacker to predict the expected response and activate debug-mode without authorization. Depending on device configuration and version, this may enable escalation to root-level access and persistent modification of the device software stack. Exploitation requires either a valid low-privilege account on the device (remote scenario) or physical serial console access (local scenario). This vulnerability is distinct from CVE-2017-14329, which addressed a different issue involving Python script privileges.
Extreme would like to thank Hadrien Barral (Université Gustave Eiffel) and Georges-Axel Jaloyan (French Ministry of the Interior) for responsible disclosure of their findings.
Exploitation
Is it being used?
Exploit prediction (EPSS)0.4% · higher than 32% of CVEs
Exploited in the wildNo evidence yet
CISA KEVNot listed
Ransomware campaign useNot known
Affected products
Which versions
SE
Switch Engine (EXOS) · Extreme Networks
before 31.7.4; 32.0.0 before 32.7.4.15; 33.0.0 before 33.1.100; 33.2.0 before 33.7.1 · source: vendor
References
NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-8169
CVE.org
https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-8169
www.extremenetworks.com
https://www.extremenetworks.com/support/policies/product-security
More from Switch Engine (EXOS)
8.7
CVE-2026-8170
ExtremeXOS Privilege Escalation via Symlink Following in File Utilities
